View Poll Results: First Beginner Road Bike
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll
First Beginner Road Bike
#76
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 186
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Maybe you'll run into my friend with his $10K bike in the back of his GMC pick up. Or his $5k bike. One reason he can afford the bikes is because he could afford a much more expensive car but he has priorities. He's also a competitive Ironman/Triathalete so he spends money on his bikes
My theory on this is that he knew he was getting out of shape & found walking and running to be unenjoyable. He sees guys on bikes & figures that looks much more comfortable, and those guys on bikes are skinny, so he wants to try it out. So, he goes to the LBS to see what he can find.
Instead of being set up with a bike suitable for a beginner (doesn't rightly matter if it's a $5000 bike or $500,) they put him on what's probably the most expensive bike they can find - even though they KNOW a racing bike is NOT the proper bike for him. The reason he wasn't on a $5000 bike suitable for a beginner is that no such animal exists that I know of outside of custom jobs.
Predatory Bike Shops combined with elitist bike snobs do more to harm the "sport" of cycling than anything...
#77
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: SoCal
Posts: 6,517
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 276 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
3 Posts
My point wasn't about the price of the bike vs. the price of the truck... or even that the goofball didn't have any rack for the thing (My bike is probably worth the same as my car.) It was that he was a complete freakin' novice, wasn't in the physical condition to ride and didn't even have a clue where to ride. Yet, here he is with a high dollar racing bike.
My theory on this is that he knew he was getting out of shape & found walking and running to be unenjoyable. He sees guys on bikes & figures that looks much more comfortable, and those guys on bikes are skinny, so he wants to try it out. So, he goes to the LBS to see what he can find.
Instead of being set up with a bike suitable for a beginner (doesn't rightly matter if it's a $5000 bike or $500,) they put him on what's probably the most expensive bike they can find - even though they KNOW a racing bike is NOT the proper bike for him. The reason he wasn't on a $5000 bike suitable for a beginner is that no such animal exists that I know of outside of custom jobs.
Predatory Bike Shops combined with elitist bike snobs do more to harm the "sport" of cycling than anything...
My theory on this is that he knew he was getting out of shape & found walking and running to be unenjoyable. He sees guys on bikes & figures that looks much more comfortable, and those guys on bikes are skinny, so he wants to try it out. So, he goes to the LBS to see what he can find.
Instead of being set up with a bike suitable for a beginner (doesn't rightly matter if it's a $5000 bike or $500,) they put him on what's probably the most expensive bike they can find - even though they KNOW a racing bike is NOT the proper bike for him. The reason he wasn't on a $5000 bike suitable for a beginner is that no such animal exists that I know of outside of custom jobs.
Predatory Bike Shops combined with elitist bike snobs do more to harm the "sport" of cycling than anything...
#78
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 419
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
My point wasn't about the price of the bike vs. the price of the truck... or even that the goofball didn't have any rack for the thing (My bike is probably worth the same as my car.) It was that he was a complete freakin' novice, wasn't in the physical condition to ride and didn't even have a clue where to ride. Yet, here he is with a high dollar racing bike.
My theory on this is that he knew he was getting out of shape & found walking and running to be unenjoyable. He sees guys on bikes & figures that looks much more comfortable, and those guys on bikes are skinny, so he wants to try it out. So, he goes to the LBS to see what he can find.
Instead of being set up with a bike suitable for a beginner (doesn't rightly matter if it's a $5000 bike or $500,) they put him on what's probably the most expensive bike they can find - even though they KNOW a racing bike is NOT the proper bike for him. The reason he wasn't on a $5000 bike suitable for a beginner is that no such animal exists that I know of outside of custom jobs.
Predatory Bike Shops combined with elitist bike snobs do more to harm the "sport" of cycling than anything...
My theory on this is that he knew he was getting out of shape & found walking and running to be unenjoyable. He sees guys on bikes & figures that looks much more comfortable, and those guys on bikes are skinny, so he wants to try it out. So, he goes to the LBS to see what he can find.
Instead of being set up with a bike suitable for a beginner (doesn't rightly matter if it's a $5000 bike or $500,) they put him on what's probably the most expensive bike they can find - even though they KNOW a racing bike is NOT the proper bike for him. The reason he wasn't on a $5000 bike suitable for a beginner is that no such animal exists that I know of outside of custom jobs.
Predatory Bike Shops combined with elitist bike snobs do more to harm the "sport" of cycling than anything...
#79
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 186
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
RE the OP, my objection to the bikes he listed is that they're carbon fiber, pricier than what he NEEDS and at least one of them has aggressive geometry (forgive me for not going back to page 1 & confirming all that.) Since carbon is expensive and difficult to repair (if not actually impossible,) I feel it's a horrible material for a beginner's bike.
I think a beginner would be best on aluminum or steel with a more relaxed geometry... preferably a cheaper bike.
I think the bike should be a cheaper bike because - as a beginner - they really won't know what kind of riding they'll actually enjoy. Will they turn out to be a sprinter? A long haul touring type? A commuter? A relaxed cruiser? An all out racer? Even if you're loaded with more money than you know what to do with, buying an expensive bike to start out with is kinda silly, especially since almost everyone will agree that with the diminishing returns on cycling investment, he won't reap the benefits of "better" more expensive bikes til he's been riding a while.
The trend I'm seeing in responses to that is people with tons of posts get defensive & act like I called their mamma fat when anyone suggests a bike is too expensive.
The long-term members who are getting offended use the term "jealous" quite a bit. So, I'll throw in this caveat... if the guy want's to spend two grand on a bike, I think that, instead of the carbon fiber ones he has been steered towards, he'd be better served by something like a Bianchi Vigorelli. It's light, sturdy and versatile.
But, you know... I'd steer him towards the Lupo at about half the price.
#80
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
It's simulated with "+1".
But how can a person know in fact, that a race bike is not the proper bike for a given person? Even out of shape and over weight, maybe his plan is to get in race-shape. Or maybe it's $5000 worth of motivation for him. Who knows?
But how can a person know in fact, that a race bike is not the proper bike for a given person? Even out of shape and over weight, maybe his plan is to get in race-shape. Or maybe it's $5000 worth of motivation for him. Who knows?
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 186
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I guess I just think that a multi-tool is better if you don't know what kind of tool you're going to need rather than going off & buying a hammer & hoping you find some nails.
Then again, your motivation comment is valid. I know a guy who did just that... In my humble little opinion, he got a horrible bike for him. It's a very very nice triathlon bike that he can barely ride, but whatever. He says the purchase - spending that wad of cash - is his self motivation for actually riding. He says he knew he wouldn't be able to stand the thought of spending all that money on a bike & never riding it.
Whatever works, I suppose. Last I heard, it does seem to be working. He made it up to a 20 mile ride. If he sticks with it, he'll be able to ride it just fine & justify the purchase to himself - the only person that really matters anyway.
#83
Senior Member
On your first bike, you will get the wrong frame size. And you will crash it. It will tip over at some point, or fall off the rack on your vehicle. And when you start wrenching, you will do something dumb such as crush the carbon top tube in the bench vice.
And after about a year, you will eventually want different components than the stock, after riding friends bikes. For example after riding Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo shifters, you will figure out why the Shimano shifters are a distant third in terms of ergonomics. So think as your first bike as an experiment. So don't spend a lot. Ride as many different bikes as you can first.
And, all of the bikes you named are 'big brand' models. Solid, conservative choices, but you'll pay a significant premium over lesser known brands.
Finally, if you ride in a Fondo, with the choices above, you may find some comfort in that you will see hundreds of your same bike on the road.
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: SoCal
Posts: 6,517
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 276 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
3 Posts
You do realize that the bit you quoted isn't in reference to the OP, right?
RE the OP, my objection to the bikes he listed is that they're carbon fiber, pricier than what he NEEDS and at least one of them has aggressive geometry (forgive me for not going back to page 1 & confirming all that.) Since carbon is expensive and difficult to repair (if not actually impossible,) I feel it's a horrible material for a beginner's bike.
I think a beginner would be best on aluminum or steel with a more relaxed geometry... preferably a cheaper bike.
I think the bike should be a cheaper bike because - as a beginner - they really won't know what kind of riding they'll actually enjoy. Will they turn out to be a sprinter? A long haul touring type? A commuter? A relaxed cruiser? An all out racer? Even if you're loaded with more money than you know what to do with, buying an expensive bike to start out with is kinda silly, especially since almost everyone will agree that with the diminishing returns on cycling investment, he won't reap the benefits of "better" more expensive bikes til he's been riding a while.
The trend I'm seeing in responses to that is people with tons of posts get defensive & act like I called their mamma fat when anyone suggests a bike is too expensive.
The long-term members who are getting offended use the term "jealous" quite a bit. So, I'll throw in this caveat... if the guy want's to spend two grand on a bike, I think that, instead of the carbon fiber ones he has been steered towards, he'd be better served by something like a Bianchi Vigorelli. It's light, sturdy and versatile.
But, you know... I'd steer him towards the Lupo at about half the price.
RE the OP, my objection to the bikes he listed is that they're carbon fiber, pricier than what he NEEDS and at least one of them has aggressive geometry (forgive me for not going back to page 1 & confirming all that.) Since carbon is expensive and difficult to repair (if not actually impossible,) I feel it's a horrible material for a beginner's bike.
I think a beginner would be best on aluminum or steel with a more relaxed geometry... preferably a cheaper bike.
I think the bike should be a cheaper bike because - as a beginner - they really won't know what kind of riding they'll actually enjoy. Will they turn out to be a sprinter? A long haul touring type? A commuter? A relaxed cruiser? An all out racer? Even if you're loaded with more money than you know what to do with, buying an expensive bike to start out with is kinda silly, especially since almost everyone will agree that with the diminishing returns on cycling investment, he won't reap the benefits of "better" more expensive bikes til he's been riding a while.
The trend I'm seeing in responses to that is people with tons of posts get defensive & act like I called their mamma fat when anyone suggests a bike is too expensive.
The long-term members who are getting offended use the term "jealous" quite a bit. So, I'll throw in this caveat... if the guy want's to spend two grand on a bike, I think that, instead of the carbon fiber ones he has been steered towards, he'd be better served by something like a Bianchi Vigorelli. It's light, sturdy and versatile.
But, you know... I'd steer him towards the Lupo at about half the price.
#85
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: SoCal
Posts: 6,517
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 276 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
3 Posts
First road bike? I just unboxed and tuned up a Windsor Wellington 3 bike from Bikesdirect.com for a new roadie. $400 shipped. Great starter bike.
On your first bike, you will get the wrong frame size. And you will crash it. It will tip over at some point, or fall off the rack on your vehicle. And when you start wrenching, you will do something dumb such as crush the carbon top tube in the bench vice.
And after about a year, you will eventually want different components than the stock, after riding friends bikes. For example after riding Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo shifters, you will figure out why the Shimano shifters are a distant third in terms of ergonomics. So think as your first bike as an experiment. So don't spend a lot. Ride as many different bikes as you can first.
And, all of the bikes you named are 'big brand' models. Solid, conservative choices, but you'll pay a significant premium over lesser known brands.
Finally, if you ride in a Fondo, with the choices above, you may find some comfort in that you will see hundreds of your same bike on the road.
On your first bike, you will get the wrong frame size. And you will crash it. It will tip over at some point, or fall off the rack on your vehicle. And when you start wrenching, you will do something dumb such as crush the carbon top tube in the bench vice.
And after about a year, you will eventually want different components than the stock, after riding friends bikes. For example after riding Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo shifters, you will figure out why the Shimano shifters are a distant third in terms of ergonomics. So think as your first bike as an experiment. So don't spend a lot. Ride as many different bikes as you can first.
And, all of the bikes you named are 'big brand' models. Solid, conservative choices, but you'll pay a significant premium over lesser known brands.
Finally, if you ride in a Fondo, with the choices above, you may find some comfort in that you will see hundreds of your same bike on the road.
Spending $2000 I think it is much less likely they will want to upgrade components after a year. If you buy a cheap bike like the Wellington which weighs about 25 lbs and has Sora or Claris than you will want to upgrade quickly. The whole point of spending money up front on a nicer bike is you wont' feel the need to upgrade
#86
In the wind
Buying a first road bike is tough, like it was mentioned already, you simply don't know what you want/like/need. Here was my process of buying 4 bikes in just under a year, LOL.
- 1st bike: Used Trek 1000, mostly Sora. I finally realized I should buy a road bike as I was traveling longer distances with my mountain bike. I saw some Scott Speedsters on clearance at the LBS, but my wife was not keen on me spending a $1000 on something I may not use much. So anyway, I found the used Trek for $500. I started with this, found it it was too small at a 56cm, and also I found I liked riding in the drops, and Sora shifters are not the best option for this.
- 2nd bike: I found an old model brand new Trek 1.5 with 9 SPD Tiagra at a bike shop for $800. It was a 58cm. I loved it. Shifting wasn't always the smoothest, and it was a triple crank which after owning it didn't seem to make sense for me. I loved the Tiagra style shifters. After I purchased this bike my wife let me get all the gear for the bike, so that was cool. What led to me purchasing the next bike was that my wife purchased a bike with 105 5700 shifters. After seeing how smooth this shifted, I was super jealous. I also had an appreciation for Trek's 200 series aluminum vs: the 1.5's 100 series aluminum.
- 3rd bike: LBS had a clearance special on a 2012 2.1. This bike was full Sram, so it had a compact crank. After the first test drive I was in love with the geometry of this bike, and also the Sram shifting. I absolutely loved this bike, rode it a ton, and really enjoyed it. I found that since it was equipped with the Bontrager Speed Trap sensor on the fork (vs having something measuring the rear wheel rotation) that in the winter I was not able to monitor anything on my trainer. Not a huge deal, but sort of annoying. Also the 11-32 cassette was a little more extreme than I needed.
- 4th bike: Found a deal on a brand new Trek Madone 4.6 in the box at a bike shop. Geometry was the same as my 2.1, 4.6 is equipped with Sram Rival, and the DuoTrap sensor for speed and cadence. Also now into full carbon fiber. This was really the first time I knew EVERYTHING I wanted in a new bike. Cassette is an 11-28 which is perfect. I have this equipped with my Selle Drakon saddle, and life is good!
In short, you simply can't know what it right for you on the first bike. I test many other bikes, and of course feeling comfortable and getting the correct geometry is HUGE. Getting a road bike perfect the first time is possible if you do TONS AND TONS of research, and test ride like crazy, but that would get annoying. Oh well, do what works for you!
- 1st bike: Used Trek 1000, mostly Sora. I finally realized I should buy a road bike as I was traveling longer distances with my mountain bike. I saw some Scott Speedsters on clearance at the LBS, but my wife was not keen on me spending a $1000 on something I may not use much. So anyway, I found the used Trek for $500. I started with this, found it it was too small at a 56cm, and also I found I liked riding in the drops, and Sora shifters are not the best option for this.
- 2nd bike: I found an old model brand new Trek 1.5 with 9 SPD Tiagra at a bike shop for $800. It was a 58cm. I loved it. Shifting wasn't always the smoothest, and it was a triple crank which after owning it didn't seem to make sense for me. I loved the Tiagra style shifters. After I purchased this bike my wife let me get all the gear for the bike, so that was cool. What led to me purchasing the next bike was that my wife purchased a bike with 105 5700 shifters. After seeing how smooth this shifted, I was super jealous. I also had an appreciation for Trek's 200 series aluminum vs: the 1.5's 100 series aluminum.
- 3rd bike: LBS had a clearance special on a 2012 2.1. This bike was full Sram, so it had a compact crank. After the first test drive I was in love with the geometry of this bike, and also the Sram shifting. I absolutely loved this bike, rode it a ton, and really enjoyed it. I found that since it was equipped with the Bontrager Speed Trap sensor on the fork (vs having something measuring the rear wheel rotation) that in the winter I was not able to monitor anything on my trainer. Not a huge deal, but sort of annoying. Also the 11-32 cassette was a little more extreme than I needed.
- 4th bike: Found a deal on a brand new Trek Madone 4.6 in the box at a bike shop. Geometry was the same as my 2.1, 4.6 is equipped with Sram Rival, and the DuoTrap sensor for speed and cadence. Also now into full carbon fiber. This was really the first time I knew EVERYTHING I wanted in a new bike. Cassette is an 11-28 which is perfect. I have this equipped with my Selle Drakon saddle, and life is good!
In short, you simply can't know what it right for you on the first bike. I test many other bikes, and of course feeling comfortable and getting the correct geometry is HUGE. Getting a road bike perfect the first time is possible if you do TONS AND TONS of research, and test ride like crazy, but that would get annoying. Oh well, do what works for you!
#87
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 256
Bikes: 2012 Trek Madone 6.9ssl (brand new 12/30/15)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, first off, the brand has been loyal to me in that the bikes have been amazing. Also, I live in WI, and although the bikes are not built in WI, I would rather support a WI company if possible. Also, the geometry of that model Madone fits me perfectly. I have tried the Scott, Cannondale, and Giant, and the Madone just feels right at home for me. That and I love the Sram shifting.
#88
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 186
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
OP test rode all these bikes at LBS. He spent over $2000 on the Synapse. Do you really think the LBS didn't fit him for the bike? I've been riding rode for 3 years, and bikes in general for 30 years and never crashed. You can't say it's inevitable that someone is going to crash their bike.
Spending $2000 I think it is much less likely they will want to upgrade components after a year. If you buy a cheap bike like the Wellington which weighs about 25 lbs and has Sora or Claris than you will want to upgrade quickly. The whole point of spending money up front on a nicer bike is you wont' feel the need to upgrade
Spending $2000 I think it is much less likely they will want to upgrade components after a year. If you buy a cheap bike like the Wellington which weighs about 25 lbs and has Sora or Claris than you will want to upgrade quickly. The whole point of spending money up front on a nicer bike is you wont' feel the need to upgrade
As for the weight of the Wellington... with aerobars, a lock, bottle racks, frame bag, lights etc on it, mine is 25 lbs... and it's a larger frame. It's an older Wellington, though. The new ones they're selling have crap components & a lower price.
I don't necessarily disagree with your point about buying a "nicer" bike up front. A purchaser just needs to consider their confidence in whether that's the style of cycling they're going to be wanting to do.
#89
Senior Member
I'm not doubting you or calling that no-crash status into question, but you must be a much more cautious rider than myself or most anyone I've ever ridden with! Being more cautious than me isn't saying much... I still ride with the enthusiasm of a little kid.
As for the weight of the Wellington... with aerobars, a lock, bottle racks, frame bag, lights etc on it, mine is 25 lbs... and it's a larger frame. It's an older Wellington, though. The new ones they're selling have crap components & a lower price.
I don't necessarily disagree with your point about buying a "nicer" bike up front. A purchaser just needs to consider their confidence in whether that's the style of cycling they're going to be wanting to do.
As for the weight of the Wellington... with aerobars, a lock, bottle racks, frame bag, lights etc on it, mine is 25 lbs... and it's a larger frame. It's an older Wellington, though. The new ones they're selling have crap components & a lower price.
I don't necessarily disagree with your point about buying a "nicer" bike up front. A purchaser just needs to consider their confidence in whether that's the style of cycling they're going to be wanting to do.
Or perhaps the OP turns out to be an immensely talented 'crit rider, and has to upgrade to a higher-end bike within a year. Or as I see with a lot of new road riders, road riding does not turn out to be their 'thing'. And then a $2k bike collects dust or is sold off on Craigslist at a significant discount. Happens a lot.
We've seen this before boys and girls... I am old enough to remember the early 70's Bike Boom, in which everyone below the age of 40 rushed out and bought a '10-speed' presumably for the heath and environmental benefits. But it turned out that the low bar position and skinny high-pressure tires were inappropriate for most of the riding done by most people, and 40+ years later, these millions of under-used 10-speeds are still issuing out of garages around the continent. In fact the 'fixie' fad that recently flamed-out fed on these old steel-framed bikes for their raw material.
But in the end, like all of the previous fads in the bike industry, the 'road bike' thing will also flame out, leaving thousands of orphaned carbon frame road bikes out there. Good times.
I never stopped riding the 10-speed I bought in 1973, even during the lean years in the 90's when you could not give away a road bike. I look forward to the time about 3 years from now when the $2k carbon bikes will be abandoned in droves and I can finally upgrade!
Back to the decision faced by the OP.... he or she should make sure that road riding isn't just going to be a 30 day adventure - before spending a lot of money.
#90
Just Plain Slow
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 6,038
Bikes: Lynskey R230
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Sadly, you were mistaken, and it's a shame. I think you made a great choice. You set a budget, you did your research, you made a choice. Now, when you get it, ride it like you stole it! By the way, welcome to BF. It really is a great place to learn, share and hang out.
And when you get the bike, pix or it didn't happen!!!
Getting back to the original topic - can you tell us more about yourself? You were a runner. That implies you may be in decent shape? What type of riding do you want to do? Any injuries?
If you likes the Synapse, you owe it to yourself to ride a Giant Defy Advanced. Before I bought my bike, I took a day and test rode every bike any shop would allow me to ride. The list included:
Giant Defy Advanced 2 and 3 (different models)
Tarmac
Roubaix
Synapse
Orbea Onyx
Felt Z something
My observations - The Defy Advanced 2 was my favorite hands down. The Orbea was my least favorite, the Synapse barely beat that, though to be fair, it was one size too small. The entry-level Roubaix felt dead. The only way I can explain the ride on the Tarmac is that it BEGGED to be ridden harder and mocked me when I couldn't deliver. I loved it, but thought it would be a good +1 bike for me.
So, then I took a year and a half for a medical issue, but when I came back, I bought my Lynskey - and yes, this was my first road bike since high school.
I'm not saying the Synapse isn't a great bike. You have to ride what feels best to you, and if it's the Synapse, then that's the right bike for you, no matter what other people think. But ride all you can and see which bike "speaks" to you, then enjoy whatever it is you decide to buy.
And when you get the bike, pix or it didn't happen!!!
Getting back to the original topic - can you tell us more about yourself? You were a runner. That implies you may be in decent shape? What type of riding do you want to do? Any injuries?
If you likes the Synapse, you owe it to yourself to ride a Giant Defy Advanced. Before I bought my bike, I took a day and test rode every bike any shop would allow me to ride. The list included:
Giant Defy Advanced 2 and 3 (different models)
Tarmac
Roubaix
Synapse
Orbea Onyx
Felt Z something
My observations - The Defy Advanced 2 was my favorite hands down. The Orbea was my least favorite, the Synapse barely beat that, though to be fair, it was one size too small. The entry-level Roubaix felt dead. The only way I can explain the ride on the Tarmac is that it BEGGED to be ridden harder and mocked me when I couldn't deliver. I loved it, but thought it would be a good +1 bike for me.
So, then I took a year and a half for a medical issue, but when I came back, I bought my Lynskey - and yes, this was my first road bike since high school.
I'm not saying the Synapse isn't a great bike. You have to ride what feels best to you, and if it's the Synapse, then that's the right bike for you, no matter what other people think. But ride all you can and see which bike "speaks" to you, then enjoy whatever it is you decide to buy.
#92
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 830
Bikes: 16 Haibike Sdruo Cross SM
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 30 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Exactly. Words of wisdom here. After putting in a few thousand miles, the OP might decide to focus on long touring-type rides. Perhaps with bags/panniers. Or riding on gravel back roads such as dominates around my 'hood. This would require fat tires and a longer wheelbase.
Or perhaps the OP turns out to be an immensely talented 'crit rider, and has to upgrade to a higher-end bike within a year. Or as I see with a lot of new road riders, road riding does not turn out to be their 'thing'. And then a $2k bike collects dust or is sold off on Craigslist at a significant discount. Happens a lot.
We've seen this before boys and girls... I am old enough to remember the early 70's Bike Boom, in which everyone below the age of 40 rushed out and bought a '10-speed' presumably for the heath and environmental benefits. But it turned out that the low bar position and skinny high-pressure tires were inappropriate for most of the riding done by most people, and 40+ years later, these millions of under-used 10-speeds are still issuing out of garages around the continent. In fact the 'fixie' fad that recently flamed-out fed on these old steel-framed bikes for their raw material.
But in the end, like all of the previous fads in the bike industry, the 'road bike' thing will also flame out, leaving thousands of orphaned carbon frame road bikes out there. Good times.
I never stopped riding the 10-speed I bought in 1973, even during the lean years in the 90's when you could not give away a road bike. I look forward to the time about 3 years from now when the $2k carbon bikes will be abandoned in droves and I can finally upgrade!
Back to the decision faced by the OP.... he or she should make sure that road riding isn't just going to be a 30 day adventure - before spending a lot of money.
Or perhaps the OP turns out to be an immensely talented 'crit rider, and has to upgrade to a higher-end bike within a year. Or as I see with a lot of new road riders, road riding does not turn out to be their 'thing'. And then a $2k bike collects dust or is sold off on Craigslist at a significant discount. Happens a lot.
We've seen this before boys and girls... I am old enough to remember the early 70's Bike Boom, in which everyone below the age of 40 rushed out and bought a '10-speed' presumably for the heath and environmental benefits. But it turned out that the low bar position and skinny high-pressure tires were inappropriate for most of the riding done by most people, and 40+ years later, these millions of under-used 10-speeds are still issuing out of garages around the continent. In fact the 'fixie' fad that recently flamed-out fed on these old steel-framed bikes for their raw material.
But in the end, like all of the previous fads in the bike industry, the 'road bike' thing will also flame out, leaving thousands of orphaned carbon frame road bikes out there. Good times.
I never stopped riding the 10-speed I bought in 1973, even during the lean years in the 90's when you could not give away a road bike. I look forward to the time about 3 years from now when the $2k carbon bikes will be abandoned in droves and I can finally upgrade!
Back to the decision faced by the OP.... he or she should make sure that road riding isn't just going to be a 30 day adventure - before spending a lot of money.
#94
Senior Member
^^^^Now THAT'S a beautiful bike! Hope you're enjoying your Synapse... we'd enjoy pictures of that as well (and a ride report)!
#95
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SoCal
Posts: 78
Bikes: Émonda SL 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Émonda SL 6
Hey guys!
First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone that voted and posted on this thread. It has helped me tremendously, not only in choosing my first bike but also in helping me open my eyes into other things road bike related.
After much deliberation, I ordered an Émonda SL 6 last Sunday, it arrived at my LBS yesterday, and I finally picked it up today.
I was "this" close to buying a Carbon Synapse 105 but I couldn't find the color & size. I then decided to wait for the 2015 until...I took an Émonda for a test drive one day. I took it for another spin the next day, and felt it rode better "to me" than the Carbon Synapse. In the end, it worked out. I'm very happy. I couldn't wait to ride it tomorrow after work.
Again, thanks for helping me with this decision. I hope to see you on the road!
I'm only 5'3". I felt more comfortable on the 50cm versus the 52cm.
First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone that voted and posted on this thread. It has helped me tremendously, not only in choosing my first bike but also in helping me open my eyes into other things road bike related.
After much deliberation, I ordered an Émonda SL 6 last Sunday, it arrived at my LBS yesterday, and I finally picked it up today.
I was "this" close to buying a Carbon Synapse 105 but I couldn't find the color & size. I then decided to wait for the 2015 until...I took an Émonda for a test drive one day. I took it for another spin the next day, and felt it rode better "to me" than the Carbon Synapse. In the end, it worked out. I'm very happy. I couldn't wait to ride it tomorrow after work.
Again, thanks for helping me with this decision. I hope to see you on the road!
I'm only 5'3". I felt more comfortable on the 50cm versus the 52cm.
Last edited by CactoesGel; 07-23-14 at 09:11 PM.
#96
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Southeast Tennessee
Posts: 107
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For those worried about the strength of carbon. I don't understand the workings of this, but here is what I can add:
My husband has built a kit motorglider. Carbon mostly. They are made of carbon because of the ease of repairs. Carbon is designed that in the event of a break the frame takes the impact and not the person. Look at a carbon sailplane. The boom (the really little circular area from the front to the tail) is designed to break in the case of a tailspin on landing. This is much safer than an aluminum plane which will tailspin (hitting a wingtip on landing can cause a spin) and possibly flip and cause a much worse accident. Carbon is fairly easy to fix and just as strong as originally built it done properly. On the sailplane that broke at the boom - you just fix the boom with carbon and it is good to fly again. We own a private airport and have a repair shop in residence. They repair carbon all of the time. Yes there aren't a lot of places that do carbon, but it is easily repaired and in many cases stronger than originally built. Aluminum which bends will always have a weakness in the area of the bend.
And on another note I am also getting a Cannondale Synapse 5 105 aluminum womens bike. I can't pay for it now so it is on layaway. For me the aluminum is affordable over the carbon. And at another bike shop I was put on a carbon bike to see the differences between carbon and aluminum and I wasn't comfortable yet with the extreme lightweight of the carbon, but I am riding a mountain bike right now with hybrid road tires so my bike probably weighs 35 lbs.
My husband has built a kit motorglider. Carbon mostly. They are made of carbon because of the ease of repairs. Carbon is designed that in the event of a break the frame takes the impact and not the person. Look at a carbon sailplane. The boom (the really little circular area from the front to the tail) is designed to break in the case of a tailspin on landing. This is much safer than an aluminum plane which will tailspin (hitting a wingtip on landing can cause a spin) and possibly flip and cause a much worse accident. Carbon is fairly easy to fix and just as strong as originally built it done properly. On the sailplane that broke at the boom - you just fix the boom with carbon and it is good to fly again. We own a private airport and have a repair shop in residence. They repair carbon all of the time. Yes there aren't a lot of places that do carbon, but it is easily repaired and in many cases stronger than originally built. Aluminum which bends will always have a weakness in the area of the bend.
And on another note I am also getting a Cannondale Synapse 5 105 aluminum womens bike. I can't pay for it now so it is on layaway. For me the aluminum is affordable over the carbon. And at another bike shop I was put on a carbon bike to see the differences between carbon and aluminum and I wasn't comfortable yet with the extreme lightweight of the carbon, but I am riding a mountain bike right now with hybrid road tires so my bike probably weighs 35 lbs.
Last edited by falconsusi; 07-24-14 at 07:05 AM.
#97
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 256
Bikes: 2012 Trek Madone 6.9ssl (brand new 12/30/15)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey guys!
First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone that voted and posted on this thread. It has helped me tremendously, not only in choosing my first bike but also in helping me open my eyes into other things road bike related.
After much deliberation, I ordered an Émonda SL 6 last Sunday, it arrived at my LBS yesterday, and I finally picked it up today.
I was "this" close to buying a Carbon Synapse 105 but I couldn't find the color & size. I then decided to wait for the 2015 until...I took an Émonda for a test drive one day. I took it for another spin the next day, and felt it rode better "to me" than the Carbon Synapse. In the end, it worked out. I'm very happy. I couldn't wait to ride it tomorrow after work.
Again, thanks for helping me with this decision. I hope to see you on the road!
I'm only 5'3". I felt more comfortable on the 50cm versus the 52cm.
First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone that voted and posted on this thread. It has helped me tremendously, not only in choosing my first bike but also in helping me open my eyes into other things road bike related.
After much deliberation, I ordered an Émonda SL 6 last Sunday, it arrived at my LBS yesterday, and I finally picked it up today.
I was "this" close to buying a Carbon Synapse 105 but I couldn't find the color & size. I then decided to wait for the 2015 until...I took an Émonda for a test drive one day. I took it for another spin the next day, and felt it rode better "to me" than the Carbon Synapse. In the end, it worked out. I'm very happy. I couldn't wait to ride it tomorrow after work.
Again, thanks for helping me with this decision. I hope to see you on the road!
I'm only 5'3". I felt more comfortable on the 50cm versus the 52cm.
#99
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, I will say this as someone who's been eyeballing road bikes a couple months now.
#1 .) Yes, many a first-time road bike buyer here would assume that 105 is the VERY bottom rung of the ladder.
#2 .) Only recently have I heard anybody suggest that Tiagra is not so bad. (But I still don't think anybody's giving Sora the thumbs up just yet)
#3 .) I would go so far as to say that a first-time buyer reading this forum daily could EASILY get caught up into thinking they SHOULD get Ultegra (and 6800 at that) just to keep themselves out of obsolescence and really consider going Di2 to cut to the chase of the future.
All that said......most reading here long enough should realize that a full 105 bike is a good starter as well as a good chaser, racer, puller, climber, cruiser, etc. It's just a solid group set
I would also suggest a Fuji Gran Fondo to the OP if the Synapse appeals.
#1 .) Yes, many a first-time road bike buyer here would assume that 105 is the VERY bottom rung of the ladder.
#2 .) Only recently have I heard anybody suggest that Tiagra is not so bad. (But I still don't think anybody's giving Sora the thumbs up just yet)
#3 .) I would go so far as to say that a first-time buyer reading this forum daily could EASILY get caught up into thinking they SHOULD get Ultegra (and 6800 at that) just to keep themselves out of obsolescence and really consider going Di2 to cut to the chase of the future.
All that said......most reading here long enough should realize that a full 105 bike is a good starter as well as a good chaser, racer, puller, climber, cruiser, etc. It's just a solid group set
I would also suggest a Fuji Gran Fondo to the OP if the Synapse appeals.
#100
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SoCal
Posts: 78
Bikes: Émonda SL 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts